Drones, Data, and Decision Making

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s an...Unmanned Aerial System? This may have been your thought process if you’ve visited the Raven Innovation Campus in the past few months. In February, Raven Applied Technology announced a partnership with AgEagle Aerial Systems, a leading provider of UAS technology that is used in precision agriculture. This probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard the words agriculture and UAS in the same sentence – drones and other UAV technologies are becoming a big deal in the farming industry, especially for the role they play in data management. If you need proof, visit us at an upcoming ag technology tradeshow where UAVs have become the belle of the ball.

How does Raven fit into this booming market equation? We are the exclusive distribution partner for AgEagle and their RX60 fixed wing solution. The wing, which is made of a durable carbon fiber shell, flies itself based on a predetermined flight plan generated from your selected field boundaries. During the flight, the RX60 captures and stitches aerial images of the crop health in your field, identifying areas of stress before they can be seen by the naked eye. The system acquires and delivers significant data on your field in a short amount of time.

Why is this important? Data is only useful if you know what to do with it. With AgEagle, we help growers and agronomists capture actionable data – the kind that leads to saving on inputs and increasing profitability. The aerial images pinpoint areas in the field where nutrients or chemicals may need to be applied before it’s too late to salvage the crop. This information makes the business decision making process a whole lot easier for the grower. With AgEagle, we can turn data into higher yields in a simple, informed, and efficient way. Smart farming not only helps the grower, it also helps Raven solve great challenges and ultimately, feed the world.